Home / Disasters and Accidents / Skydiver's Reserve Chute Snags Plane Tail at 15,000 Feet
Skydiver's Reserve Chute Snags Plane Tail at 15,000 Feet
11 Dec, 2025
Summary
- A skydiver's reserve parachute handle snagged the plane's wing flap.
- The skydiver was left dangling from the plane's tail at 15,000 feet.
- The skydiver's feet striking the tail jolted the aircraft, affecting control.
A skydiver experienced a harrowing near-disaster over Far North Queensland when their reserve parachute became entangled with the tail of the Cessna Caravan plane they were exiting. The handle for the reserve chute snagged on the wing flap as the skydiver was climbing out, leading to an accidental deployment.
This unforeseen deployment left the skydiver precariously dangling from the plane's tail assembly, with their legs exposed to the strong winds at an altitude of 15,000 feet. The unusual situation intensified when the skydiver's feet made contact with the plane's horizontal stabiliser.
The impact of the skydiver's feet on the aircraft's tail caused significant jolts, compromising the pilot's ability to control the plane. The pilot remained unaware of the critical situation unfolding just outside the cabin, highlighting the sheer luck involved in averting a catastrophe.
